Pinto bean burgers and green bean salad

Had the most delicious lunch and I had to share! As many vegetarians, I've been on an endless quest for a homemade veggie burger that doesn't fall apart when you cook it.  This time I tried vital wheat gluten, and it worked great.  I was conservative about the amount because I was worried it would taste too doughy.  It didn't taste that way at all and the burgers were a little too tender.  Next time I'll add more.

These are made from pintos, onion, spices, and vital wheat gluten, then covered in cornmeal and fried.

"Hamburger" shaped rolls were sold out at the store so I had to improvise on the shape of my burgers to fit the "hoagie" rolls.

On the side I have some garlic ginger green beans from the Dinosaur Barbeque Cookbook that I swear taste as good as candy or potato chips. :)

Cannellini gaspacho

When I spent a semester in Spain, I first tasted chilled soup.  They made a cool, refreshing soup out of pureed tomatoes, garlic, fresh olive oil and cucumber chunks.  I've adapted it here by adding some cooked cannellini beans before pureeing.  You actually can't taste the beans but it makes the dish heartier...which was perfect for me right after I had dental work. :)

Another healthy, delicious, gourmet, easy-to-make way to enjoy fresh summer produce and some white beans!  Here it is, packed for lunch at work.

Hoover's meatless meals plan

A bit of history!

Public Health Dean Expresses Disappointment with USDA’s Step Back From Meatless Monday

Public Health Dean Expresses Disappointment with USDA’s Step Back From Meatless Monday

Product Review: Jif Chocolate Flavored Hazelnut Spread

Bought a jar of this spread this afternoon.  mmmm.  Nuts, sugar, chocolate--what's not to love?

If you're expecting Nutella, don't.  This does not taste like Nutella.  I do prefer it over this new stuff, which tastes...pistachoey.  But it's still delicious!

I see they're making a mocha version as well.

Product Review: So Delicious Minis

I previously reviewed So Delicious Nog.  This afternoon I had a hankering for some ice cream and decided to try So Delicious Vanilla Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches.

This product has earned its brand name.  It has the comfort factor of the ice cream sandwiches you used to get in your school cafeteria, except somehow more sophisticated.  Very, very good--and at 100 calories, perfection.

Hummus & Roasted Vegetable Wraps--easy!

I've got a lot going on so I am not inclined to fuss with anything time-consuming right now.

I bought some plain tortillas, store-bought hummus, a few red peppers and an eggplant.  I sliced the vegetables into big "fingers", tossed them with oil and roasted them.  I've been packing my lunch by putting the hummus and veg into a container, to be spread on a freshly warmed (microwaved) wrap right before eating.

I've always been a bit skeptical of the hummus sandwiches I read about in vegetarian magazines and websites.  Yet it really is extremely flavorful and satisfying.

One of my metrics on how good a meal is--how much I look forward to eating it, even if I ate the same thing all week.  This one passes!